Wis. Gov. Walker signs controversial mining bill
After months of bitter debate, Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that relaxes Wisconsin's mining regulations.
The governor signed the measure Monday at Oldenburg Group Inc., a Rhinelander mining equipment manufacturer. He has planned a ceremonial signing in Milwaukee later in the day.
The signing completes a major victory for Walker and his fellow Republicans. They've been working for the better part of two years to pass a bill to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge iron mine near Lake Superior. Republicans say the mine will create thousands of jobs.
Environmental groups contend the legislation will lead to pollution and are mulling lawsuits challenging the bill's provisions. Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr. tells The Associated Press the tribe plans to begin a fundraising drive by the end of the week to generate enough money to mount a court challenge.
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